Miguel Valverde Carranza is a part of a collective that helps farmers withstand the competition of imported produce. (4 of 5)
"It is not the best business," says Miguel Valverde Carranza. "Nonetheless, you are born on the land, and that is what you are shown and you continue with the tradition."

Miguel cares for his family's farm 40 kilometers outside of Santa Cruz. He is the only one of his siblings to stay on the farm.

But, as the Costa Rican economy changes and moves from agriculture to tourism, traditional ideas are being challenged and changed.

Miguel is part of a project that helps farmers adapt to the evolving industry. He is on the board of directors that manages the $10.7 million that is available to them.

The project allows for farmers' associations and groups to receive help in the form of administrative training, selling domestically, providing models of success and farmer exchanges that involve less successful farmers being matched up with more successful farmers. A main objective is to teach farmers the importance of diversification.

"First we must learn to crawl and afterwards we run," says Miguel.

--Mónika Lugo